A decade and one year ago – on February 7, 2002, to be precise – Broward County and the City of Coral Springsturned a dream into a reality for Save What’s Left, an environmental conservation group originating at Coral Springs High School. Tall Cypress Natural Area, a 66-acre site rich in natural resources, opened on that date, and the grass-roots school organization had been instrumental in saving the natural area from development. Today Tall Cypress – one of the last remaining stands of basin swamp and pine flatwoods in the county – is jointly owned by the city and Broward County, which manages it.

The site contains a dense, continuous canopy of cypress trees that transitions to slash pines. Interspersed within this canopy are shallow willow and pond apple depressions, sabal palm heads, red maples, and strangler fig trees. The understory of sword and leather ferns, saw palmetto, swamp lily, soft-leaved wild coffee, beautyberry, and other basin swamp plants is so thick that it is extremely difficult to traverse this urban forest by foot – hence the 2,090-foot elevated boardwalk with two covered overlooks that enables visitors to experience the natural area without disturbing it.

In terms of animal species, the site is one of the most diverse purchased through the 1989 Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) Bond program. Due to the density of vegetation and the lack of disturbance, the site is ideal habitat for heavily forested woodland species. Resident and migratory birds documented here include the great horned owl, pileated woodpecker, great egret, little blue heron, cardinal, bluejay, and many species of warbler. Among the plentiful reptiles are the Florida box turtle, Florida softshell turtle, cornsnake, eastern garter snake, and green anole lizard. The site is also home to many species of butterflies, including white peacock, malachite, gulf fritillary, and Julia.

Along with the boardwalk, Tall Cypress also includes among its amenities a concrete trail, restrooms, interpretive signage, seating areas, an amphitheater, and a small parking lot.

Did you know there’s a thriving colony of burrowing owls at Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium in Lauderhill? Find out more about these enigmatic creatures when the park – which is better known for its sports facilities, corporate pavilions, and water park – hosts a rare volunteer-led Nature/Bird Walk, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 16. While other birds may be sighted on the walk, the emphasis is on the park’s population of burrowing owls, and the walk will focus on the park’s natural area and burrowing owl habitat. The walk is free, although the park’s regular weekend gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect.

Florida burrowing owls, the only ground-nesting owls in the state, are listed as a Species of Special Concern by the state and are also protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Act. That’s because the birds are threatened by the loss of habitat and by such urban predators as snakes, opossums, raccoons, and even cats and dogs. When Central Broward Regional was built in 2005, a priority was ensuring that the burrowing owls already living on the site be preserved and protected.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about burrowing owls:

·They’re sometimes called the “howdy bird” because of their habit of bowing and bobbing when approached.

·Burrowing owls have 13 distinct calls, more than any other North American owl. One of them mimics the sound of a rattlesnake.

·Females incubate the eggs while the males stand sentry at the entrance to the nest and hunt for food. A male will bring the food back to the entrance, and the female will take it inside to the owlets.

·Baby owls emerge from the burrow when they are 10 to 14 days old. Their parents teach them to hunt by bringing them dead or injured insects to pounce on.

·Males are often lighter-colored than females, thought to be due to sun-bleaching from standing guard while the females incubate the eggs underground.

Another program will be held on Saturday, March 23. The walks last up to two hours, depending on the level of interest of participants and the amount of bird and wildlife activity on view. For more information, call the park at 954-357-5400. Central Broward Regional is accessible via Broward County TransitRoutes #18, #40, and #81.

Stock up on native plants, herbs, and vegetable plants when the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood hosts a Go Native Plant Sale. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 9, and all ages are welcome.

Over at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach, you can learn another way to grow plants at the park’s ongoing series of Propagation Classes, which continues from 2 to 3 p.m. the next day, Sunday, February 10, with installment one, “Seeds.” Participants will get hands-on instruction in various techniques, and you’re welcome to bring your own seeds. Secret Woods also hosts a meeting of the Florida Native Plant Society, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13. Future sessions focus on “Cuttings” and “Grafting.”

Whether they live on the ground, swim in the water, or take to the air, several varieties of animals are center stage at Broward County Parks this month. Butterflies are the topic of the Delightful Flight program at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach, offering an up-close look at some South Florida species. It’s from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, and the fee is $1.50 per person. The focus shifts to Wonderful Reptiles on Saturday, February 16, when visitors will meet some of the nature center’s reptilian residents. The free program is from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Both programs are for all ages.

Experiencing nature at night is something to behold, and the Lichen LoveAffair is a great way to spend an evening in the great outdoors. Watch as lichens light up under the glow of black lights and learn about their complicated yet colorful relationships. Join us for this unique experience at Easterlin Park on Friday, February 15, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This program is for ages 6 and up, and there is a $5-per-person fee. The program begins at the park office and preregistration is required.

Learn how various United States Presidents helped to conserve our nation’s natural resources at the Nature and Presidents Program at Anne Kolb Nature Center on Sunday, February 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. This program is for children ages 6 to 12 who are accompanied by an adult.

Broward County offers residents and visitors beautiful and tranquil surroundings that have become part of our community’s identity. Still, there are some areas of the County that are just as they were decades ago. Explore some of these natural oases by taking part in the Natural Area Exploration Series. This month’s explorations will take place at Highlands Scrub Natural Area on Sunday, February 10, and at Hillsboro Pineland Natural Area on Sunday, February 24. Both hour long naturalist-led nature hikes are from 2 to 3 p.m., and are open to participants ages 3 and up. The cost of this program is $5 per person or $25 per person for the series pass, which allows you to attend as many of the hike in the series as you would like. There will be two additional dates in March and two more in April. Participants are advised to bring drinking water and binoculars to wear, closed-toed shoes, and long sleeves/pants. Preregistration is required.

You can now take a little bit of Broward County nature home with you – thanks to a series of nature posters produced and sold by Broward County Parks. The six posters, all photographed in the county’s parks, nature centers, and natural areas, feature American white waterlilies, burrowing owls, a gray fox, live oak trees, a prairie iris, and a queen butterfly. The posters look great either framed or unframed, and they’re a distinctive way to bring a taste of nature into your home or office. They also make excellent gifts.

The Parks and Recreation Division is dedicated to providing a countywide park system with diverse facilities and recreation opportunities, along with natural area conservation and research-based educational outreach, to enhance the well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors.

Founded in February 1956 and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, Broward County Parks and Recreation Division manages almost 6,500 acres, encompassing nearly 50 regional parks and nature centers, neighborhood parks, and natural areas at various stages of development. Facilities include water parks, campgrounds, a target range, a stadium, a skate park, an observatory, mountain bike trails, an educational farm with stables, and a velodrome and other sports facilities. Hours and fees vary by location. For more information, visit broward.org/parks.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Sectionat 954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.